I AM STRUGGLING WITH MANY SINS. HOW AM I SURE I AM A CHRISTIAN?

 SHORT GOSPEL EXPOSITORY

"I AM STRUGGLING WITH MANY SINS. HOW AM I SURE I AM A CHRISTIAN?" 

My Beloved, if this is your question, hear this: You are asking the right question. The devil wants you silent. God wants you honest.

1. BEING A CHRISTIAN DOESN'T MEAN YOU DON'T STRUGGLE.                                            The Bible never promises sinless Christians. It promises forgiven Christians. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” — 1 John 1:8

Even Paul said: “I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” — Romans 7:15  

Struggle is not proof you are fake.

No struggle, no repentance, no care — that is more dangerous.

2. 3 BIBLICAL SIGNS YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN .                                                                             How can you be sure?  

Let the Bible speak: 

A. YOU BELIEVE AND TRUST JESUS.                                                                                                    " If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9

Is your hope in Jesus’ blood, not in your good works? Then you are His. 

B. YOU HATE THE SIN AND YOU RUN TO GOD WHEN YOU FALL

 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us.” — 1 John 1:9

A sinner hides. A child runs to the Father.

Do you feel conviction? 

Do you want to be free? 

That is the Holy Spirit in you. John 16:8 

C. YOU HAVE A NEW DESIRE FOR GOD . “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17                                                                                                                    Do you love God’s word, even a little? Do you want to pray, even when you fail? Do you want holiness?

That new desire didn’t come from you. That is new birth.

3. HOW DOES GOD DEAL WITH YOU WHEN YOU STRUGGLES?                                           He forgives you — “The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.” — 1 John 1:7.

 He disciplines you as a Father — “The Lord disciplines the one he loves.” — Hebrews 12:6.

  He gives you power to overcome — “Sin will have no dominion over you.” — Romans 6:14.

  He doesn’t cast you out when you fall. He lifts you up. Proverbs 24:16

THE SUMMARY:

Struggling doesn’t cancel your salvation. Unbelief does.

Shame makes you run from God. Faith makes you run to God. So what do you do now? Confess it — Be honest with God today.  Believe the Gospel — Jesus already paid for that sin on the cross.  Get help — Tell a trusted believer. Sin grows in secret. James 5:16  “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” — 1 John 2:1

Child of God, you are not disqualified. You are loved.

Jesus didn’t die to make good people better. He died to make dead people alive. Run to Him now. He is faithful 🙏

I am Apostle Edward Freedom